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Results for “JUPITER ATMOSPHERE”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records

A Jupiter atmospheric entry mission

Jupiter atmospheric entry probe mission, discussing descent depths, atmospheric pressure and temperature effects, data return techniques and Grand Tour Missions

Carroll, P. C.↗

Viscosity and thermal conductivity of model Jupiter atmospheres

The viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficient are estimated for three models of the atmosphere of Jupiter: a heavy model consisting of 22% helium and 78% hydrogen, a nominal model consisting of 11% helium and 89% hydrogen, and a light model consisting of pure hydrogen. The effect of trace elements is neglected. Linearized approximations are used for the transport coefficients of the mixtures; these are found to be in almost constant ratio to the values for pure hydrogen, independent of temperature. Short Basic language programs for computing the coefficients are listed.

Hansen, C. F.↗

Estimation of microwave absorption in the Jupiter atmosphere

A procedure for estimating the microwave absorption loss of the Jupiter atmosphere is presented. Estimation of microwave absorption by planetary atmospheres involves two different investigative disciplines (1) the determination of an acceptable model of the atmosphere itself and (2) the determination of the microwave attenuation rate applicable to each different volume sample of the atmosphere, and the integration of this loss over the varying radio propagation path for any given entry trajectory to obtain the total loss.

Coombs, W. C.↗

Results from a Set of Three-Dimensional Numerical Experiments of a Hot Jupiter Atmosphere

We present highlights from a large set of simulations of a hot Jupiter atmosphere, nominally based on HD 209458b, aimed at exploring both the evolution of the deep atmosphere, and the acceleration of the zonal flow or jet. We find the occurrence of a super-rotating equatorial jet is robust to changes in various parameters, and over long timescales, even in the absence of strong inner or bottom boundary drag. This jet is diminished in one simulation only, where we strongly force the deep atmosphere equator-to-pole temperature gradient over long timescales. Finally, although the eddy momentum fluxes in our atmosphere show similarities with the proposed mechanism for accelerating jets on tidally-locked planets, the picture appears more complex. We present tentative evidence for a jet driven by a combination of eddy momentum transport and mean flow.

hydrodynamics↗

Magnetic effects in hot Jupiter atmospheres

We present magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the atmospheres of hot Jupiters ranging in temperature from 1100 to 1800 K. Magnetic effects are negligible in atmospheres with temperatures ≲1400 K. At higher temperatures winds are variable and, in many cases, mean equatorial flows can become westward, opposite to their hydrodynamic counterparts. Ohmic dissipation peaks at temperatures ∼1500-1600 K, depending on field strength, with maximum values ∼10{sup 18} W at 10 bars, substantially lower than previous estimates. Based on the limited parameter study done, this value cannot be increased substantially with increasing winds, higher temperatures, higher field strengths, different boundary conditions, or lower diffusivities. Although not resolved in these simulations, there is modest evidence that a magnetic buoyancy instability may proceed in hot atmospheres.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Silicon compounds in the Jupiter atmosphere

The formation of colored silicon compounds under nonequilibrium conditions is discussed with reference to the composition of the Jupiter atmosphere. It is shown that many of these reactions produce strongly colored intermediates that are relatively stable and similar in appearance to those observed on Jupiter. It is suggested that the silicon compounds could substantially contribute to the colors observed on Jupiter. The colored intermediates may be the result of relatively rapid amorphous silicon monoxide formation in vertical atmospheric currents in the region near the red spot and in the red spot itself.

Howland, G.↗